Beyond humans: Chinese man leaves fortune to his cat

Beijing: An 82-year-old man from China's Guangdong province, identified only by his surname Long, is planning to leave his entire inheritance, including his flat and savings, to anyone willing to provide unconditional care for his cherished cat, Xianba. His unique wish has garnered significant attention and sparked widespread discussion online, reflecting a growing trend of pet ownership in the country.

Mr. Long, who is childless and has lived alone since the passing of his wife a decade ago, adopted four stray cats. While three of them, including Xianba's kittens, are no longer with him, Xianba remains his sole companion. His primary concern is to ensure the well-being of his feline friend after his own passing.

The quest for a dependable carer has been challenging. As reported by the South China Morning Post, "While he is actively searching for a dependable carer, he has not yet found the right person." The situation has ignited debates on inheritance laws and raised concerns about the potential for animal abusers to come forward, particularly given China's current lack of a law prohibiting pet mistreatment.

This personal story unfolds against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding pet market in China. According to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, the number of dogs and cats in the country reached a staggering 124 million last year, marking a 2.1 per cent increase from 2023. Concurrently, the consumer market for dog and cat-related products and services witnessed a substantial growth of 7.5 per cent, reaching 300 billion yuan (US$42 billion) last year. This booming industry highlights the significant and growing presence of pets in Chinese households.

Despite some scepticism regarding his intentions, many online users have expressed their willingness to adopt Xianba, with some even stating that they do not require his money, highlighting a compassionate response to Mr. Long's predicament.